US Winter Storm Alerts: Alaska Faces 20-Inch Snow, Colorado Mountain Passes Closed, Illinois Roads Slammed

The article discusses the winter storm which can be seen as a big change in the weather that is moving through a big part of the USA, starting from the top of Alaska and reaching the Midwest area. The Weather Service of the USA (NWS) has presented very serious warnings about the storm, as well as the high winds, extreme cold, and snow, which cause very dangerous situations for both people and goods in and to the affected areas.

Alaska is the first to get the worst of the storm in terms of snow and is likely to have the heaviest snowfalls in the country with very high accumulations of about 16 to 20 inches in Hyder. Skagway, Haines, and Klukwan are also at risk of heavy snow of 12–18 inches, but this will be with winds up to 50 mph. Glacier Bay and Eastern Chichagof are expecting snow of about 8–20 inches and winds of 40 mph. The authorities have cautioned about wind chills in the White Pass area that can lead to frostbite on bare skin in about 30 minutes, hence people are advised to remain at home and not travel unless it is very necessary.

In Colorado, the Elkhead and Park Mountains will get the least 3 inches of snow and strong winds, which makes it very hard to travel across the mountain passes. The government of Wyoming tells that the Sierra Madre and Snowy Range are getting heavy snowfall of 5–10 inches with severe winds of up to 65 mph, which together with the very low visibility leads to the formation of snowdrifts as high as 5 feet. The authorities are still warning that the outdoorsmen and snowmobilers are at risk of being affected by hypothermia and frostbite, so no one should be outside.

As far as the Midwest is concerned, the weather has been very unkind to the region. Illinois has counties such as Carroll and Whiteside which are struggling with very slippery roads due to ice and snow, and the police have reported several accidents on I-70. The snow in Iowa counties like Floyd, Chickasaw, and Fayette has become so heavy that it is practically impossible to travel there. The towns of Dysart, Iowa Falls, and Gladbrook will have to put up with warnings until early Monday. The state of Wisconsin is reporting heavy snowfall during the night in its Clayton and Grant counties, which is caused by the Arctic air moving south and creating hazardous driving conditions in the area.

The winter storm is heading east and south, and a large portion of the dead and injured animals will be from the affected areas. The Colorado and Wyoming government is calling for a ban on deer hunting during this winter season, especially up in the mountains. Moreover, a complete change of plan in feeding and watering the livestock will be needed for the cattle in the Intermountain West.

The storm is labeled by various authorities as very dangerous and they all come up with the same advice: stay at home. Also, be prepared for school closures, office shutdowns, and canceled outdoor activities. Drivers should remain in close touch with the local 511 road services for updates, have emergency kits with food, water, warm clothing, and flashlights, and if the travel is really unavoidable, then take and practice extreme caution.

Although the mighty winter storm will still be around early next week, it will not be the same in terms of its impact on daily life in Alaska, the Rockies, and the Midwest.